The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the sum of $11.17bn to link all Nigeria’s coastal cities by rail.
The project is expected to be completed in six years, according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed State House correspondents after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, The Punch reported.
Mohammed said that two memos were presented by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at the meeting
“The first one has to do with the Kano-Jibia rail and the other one has to do with the Port Harcourt-Maidugiri rail.
“Actually, what was approved today was funding to ensure that work starts immediately on those two rails.
“And then, also another memo that was approved today was the ratification of the president’s approval for the award of contract for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Standard Gauge.’’
“Today, the council has given approval to commence the Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail.
“This particular route is very important because after the Lagos-Kano route, this Lagos-Calabar Coastal route actually will link all the coastal cities in the country.
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“Actually, the proposed route alignment is as follows; it will go from Lagos to Sagamu, Sagamu to Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Ode to Ore, Ore to Benin City, Benin-City to Sapele, Sapele to Warri, Warri to Yenogoa, Yenegoa to Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt to Aba, Aba to Uyo, Uyo to Calabar, Calabar to Akamkpa to Ikom, Obudu Ranch with branch lines from Benin-City to Agbo, Ogwashi-ukwu, Asaba, Onitsha and Onitsha Bridge and then Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Sea Port.He said the project was an old project which was inherited by current administration.
“This particular route is very important especially for our coastal economy; the cost of the project is $11.17 billion,’’ he said.
He added that the project is expected to be completed in six years.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
